Short Summary

An item on clocks and watches also visits the atomic clock at the National Physical Laboratory.

Description

Foster Lane EC1, London.

There is an amazing collection of clocks at Howard Cotton Ltd. C/U shot of the oldest clock, including the works, which dates from 16th century. C/U shot of a blue clock face with roman numerals. M/S of a rolling ball clock, with the ball running up and down channels. M/S Colonel H. Quill looking at the Queen's clock from Windsor Castle. M/S of a King William IV travelling clock, showing the movement and the face.

M/S of a girl, Patricia Clapton, holding a Japanese sword clock, and a Japanese striking clock, housed in a small box. She demonstrates its winding mechanism C/U of a velvet faced Braille watch, known as a German Lion clock, which is designed to give the time by feel. Harry Brooks is seen winding a grandfather clock. C/U of clock face. C/U of modern clock face.

M/S two telephones, a girl lifts the receiver to listen to the speaking clock with a panning shot to a complex mechanism, to demonstrate the GPO speaking clock, showing the works. The 'pips' are heard... 'at the third stroke it will be 1.59 and 10 seconds'... C/U of a girl, Wendy Ross, looking at a wristwatch with a dark fur mink strap. She puts it on. C/U of three jewelled watches and a ring watch.

At the National Physical Laboratory, Mr Eric Hope shows the atomic clock. Eric adds liquid nitrogen at the base. Steam comes up the glass tube. C/U shot of the clock face. C/U shot showing various dials and parts. Eric makes some adjustments. C/U of a man, Oscar Rogers adjusting a parking meter, and closing it up.

Note : Eric Hope is advisor to the Worshipful Company of Clock Makers.